Lawrence Frank Upset at Criticism of Losing Coaches

The Detroit Pistons (26-52) are a young, bad team. With his job possibly in danger this summer, head coach Lawrence Frank told the media that he’s upset with the way coaches often get blamed (and canned) when their teams are awful. Per the Detroit News: “I will admit it, it (ticks) me off sometimes,’ Frank said of the criticism his colleagues have been receiving this season. Byron Scott, whose Cavaliers host the Pistons tonight, is under intense pressure. John Beilein is being scrutinized for decisions he made in Michigan’s 82-76 loss to Louisville in the NCAA championship. Frank himself is on the hot seat, and there is speculation he might lose his job. Frank was animated and slapped his hands as he spoke to the media Tuesday. He stood inside the Pistons practice facility, pointing at three championship banners won by the Pistons in 1989, 1990 and 2004. ‘Everybody shares responsibility when those banners are hung,’ Frank said. ‘We as coaches know if you don’t get it done, then you are fired.’ Frank is 275-332 as a coach, but 139-207 his last five seasons and has missed the playoffs each year. He is 51-93 with the Pistons in two seasons. As for Scott, he was viewed as one of the bright young minds in the NBA, but is 64-160 in three seasons with the Cavaliers. ‘It is all about what your ownership is about,’ Frank said. ‘Everyone knows where your team is at. The key is are you committed? Do you believe in the plan because it might not come in the results? It is about the process. When you lose with young guys and the other guys are not rotation guys in your rotation, when you lose with these guys, you know you are going to lose.'”